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Aims and Objectives

> To provide affordable quality training in a range of audio skills > To promote skills sharing across the sector, including radio, podcasting, audiobooks and all forms of audio production > To encourage new entrants and offer opportunities for networking, collaboration and partnership > To encourage networking, collaboration and partnership across the sector. > To promote dIversity in audio production > To be accessible to all those working in the UK Audio sector

So you want to be an audio drama producer…?

This course is for anyone who wants to make audio drama, non audience scripted comedy or use elements of drama in factual programmes, or for would be dramatists who are interested in the whole process of making audio drama. There will be listening (a 45’ radio play) and watching homework prior to the day that will inform the discussions.

It is through this shared watching and listening the group will work to build a deeper understanding of the role of the producer at each stage of the production process, both creative and administrative; find out more about how to work with a writer and explore the many ways of telling a story in sound. At the end of the day there will be an opportunity to meet the producer and sound engineer of the radio play and to discuss the work with them.

So what does a Drama producer actually do. And when? How to be as prepared as possible pre and post recording. Group discussion on audio drama sent ahead of the day particularly looking at use of sound, transition of scenes, acting styles.

Afternoon:

Using two scenes from a piece of television comedy drama sent in advance we’ll consider how they would work on radio. What’s really important for the listener to know and what’s not? How to create soundscapes.

Q&A with Drama producer and their sound engineer.

Training provider:

The course is taught by Caroline Raphael who has worked as both a theatre and a radio director, was a former Head of Radio Drama and commissioned drama for BBC Radio 4 for many years. Now back in production with her own company Dora Productions she also works with other indies including Pier Productions. Caroline lectures on radio drama at various universities with BA and MA students. She has also run an intensive Radio Drama course over 13 sessions for Creative Skillset/Grand Scheme Media. www.doraproductions.co.uk

course: so you want to be an audio drama producer?

The course is taught by Caroline Raphael (right) who won the BBC Audio Drama Award 2018 for Best Single Production. She also produced the first audio drama for BBC Radio 1xtra. She has worked as a theatre and radio director, was a former Head of Radio Drama and was the Commissioning Editor for Comedy & Drama for BBC Radio 4 for many years.

Want to make audio drama? Considering using drama in your podcast or documentary? Teaching audio drama to creative writing students? This is the course for you. It will consider what a drama producer actually does and the creative possibilities of audio drama. We will look at how we listen and how we talk about audio drama which will help build your confidence when working with actors, writers and sound designers. It will also be of interest to dramatists and performers who are interested in the process of making audio drama and those working with scripted non-audience audio comedy.

Course: the Principles of Good Audio Editing (SADiE)

This half-day workshop is designed for people interested in editing audio with a view to making reports, features and programmes, or creating podcasts. It will take in both the editorial considerations of editing, and the principles of good practice, as well as the technical skills involved. The system you’ll be using is SADiE version 6, and the course will include basic operation, a software overview, speech editing, levels and fades, feature mixing basics, mastering levels for web and radio, bouncing and transfer, file management.

You will be using a PC based SADiE at Whistledown. However, you may prefer to bring your own laptop loaded with SADiE.

Trainers:David Prest and Kate Holland of Whistledown.

David Prest is the founder of Whistledown Productions, the independent production company which makes programmes for BBC Radio (including The Reunion and Feedback for Radio 4) and podcasts for clients such as The Economist, Glyndebourne Opera and Mint Velvet.Kate Holland is a producer with Whistledown. She has produced programmes for BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Radio 1 Stories. She currently produces regular podcast brands for the BBC such as Comedy of the Week and Seriously… and is also part of the team of producers working on podcasts for The Economist.

Course: the Radio Docs will see you now

Deborah Dudgeon and David Prest’s popular and inspiring one-day course gets you started with some of the key techniques of understanding good documentary making for radio. They’ll cover editorial essentials such as spotting an idea, building a narrative structure, finding the right contributors, using sound creatively, creating a big opening, avoiding the pitfalls. David deconstructs a doc scene by scene and there’ll also be top tips on pitching. There’ll be inspiring audio, analysis of good technique, and exploration of the form. As one of their 2016 delegates put it “Hands down, one of the best course I’ve ever been on”.

Courses: Smartphone Recording for Digital Video & Visualising Audio

Two half-day courses on the same day - book for either or book for both!

(1) Smartphone Recording for digital video (0930 – 1300)

Ever wanted to learn about filming broadcast quality digital video from your smartphone, learning the basics of framing your shots, along with recording good sound quality with simple mics?

Want to know the basics of streaming a live event from your phone?

This course is an essential introduction for audio producers who want to make the most of their content on digital platforms. Including:

Including:· Recording basics· Digital video: key editorial tips· Lighting and framing subjects· Taking good images for use on the web· Recording simple video· Broadcasting from your smartphone· Facebook live and other streaming services.

NOTE: This is not a digital editing course

(2) Visualising Audio (1400 - 1730)

This half-day course will show you how to make the most of your audio in a digital world. A few simple techniques will enable you to increase the potential of your radio programme to reach a much wider audience on digital platforms.

We’ll look at what is going to work for you and your content, including:· simple tips for making the most of what you already have· choosing images to illustrate your audio: what to do and what to avoid· writing engaging posts· quote cards, gifs and memes· using stills to make ‘audio videos’

NOTE: This is not a digital editing course

Booking details for both:

Venue: The Orr Room, The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, , One Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QLDate: 27th June 2017Time: 0930 – 1300, 1st course; 1400 - 1730, 2nd courseCost: £75 plus VAT for a half day (total £90)£130 plus VAT for the full day (total £156). BOOK NOW at v1.bookwhen.com/rigtrain

Trainers:

Rosie Bartlett and Kate Hoyland, of QuattrainExperienced trainers currently working with the BBC and other media companies.